Link to UPDATE above.
The California GOP’s hiring of Canadian Christopher Matthews as deputy political director has a few folks in a tizzy. Especially considering Matthews’ special work visa application purportedly requires the employer to signify that no U.S. citizen is qualified to do the job, the concern is understandable.
Further, the hiring is in addiiton to the State GOP’s earlier engagement of Michael Kamburowski, an Australian citizen, as chief operations officer.
These guys are in the country legally, working legally. So, what’s the big deal? Well, some suggest that the positions, given their nature, should at least be filled with folks that can vote.
Instead of sweeping these kinds of debates under a rug — which, by the way, surprisingly leads people to say they are being swept under a rug — let’s get the discussion in the open. I won’t weigh in on the matter, as much as facilitate the discussion on these pages….that is if you send me your opinions or post them below.
First (and this is about as far as I’ll go in stating an opinion on the subject), I don’t believe for a second that Ron Nehring would hire unqualified individuals for these important positions, citizens or not. I know nothing about the details, but given Matthews’ work on the recall election, he proved his mettle and worth to even be considered in the first place. If you disagree with me, go ahead and shoot me (in writing, preferably).
Second, this is a personnel matter for the State Party. That means it has legal nuances, of course. So, let’s consider the fact that the CRP higher ups may be hesitant to weigh in on a personnel matter, from a legal standpoint. However, there is a difference between crossing legal bounds and defending your hiring decisions as the best for the GOP. We should expect some semblance of discussion on the matter (lest the ol’ hiding under the rock thing gets brought up).
Last, if this story was simply political fodder in the San Francisco Chronicle, it might be taken with a grain of salt, or at least with "there’s gotta be another side to this." Yet, some Republican stalwarts are expressing dismay, not just Democrats and the media.
Bill Leonard, Member of the State Board of Equalization:
It was not such a great week for the California Republican Party. The Chronicle had a front page story reporting that the CRP hired a Canadian for a top position in the party and made use of an H-1B visa in order to hire him. There is a cap on the number of these visas, and they are coveted by Silicon Valley for getting foreign talent to come to America to do work that keeps us competitive. In the application for this visa, the CRP had to attest there were no Americans qualified for the position they wanted filled. This is untrue, embarrassing, and unfortunate.
Phil Paule, District Director to Congressman Darrell Issa (from Red County Riverside):
Leonard nails it right on the head with regards to the misuse of the H-1B visa. This issue regarding the California Republican party hiring foreign workers over Americans is going to get very hot heading into the September convention.
Karen Hanretty, former CRP Communications Director (as quoted in the Chronicle story):
It’s insulting but also embarrassing … to bring people from the outside who don’t know the difference between Lodi and Lancaster … and who can’t even vote. There are talented Republicans in California, and the message … is that there’s no talent pool here. Who will help (the) candidates? A couple of foreign transplants who don’t know the political landscape and don’t know the history of the complicated politics in California?
That’s not to say others haven’t defended the hirings, called them a non-issue, or complained of media bias. All three have appeared in blog comments. In the Chronicle, Nehring was quoted, as he should have been:
Chris (Matthews) was inspired by the recall and by the governor to come to California in 2003 and volunteer for the Republican Party of San Diego … and when the recall started, Chris said he wanted to come down and be part of it.
The story goes on to report that "Matthews spent a month as a volunteer and in 2004 began work as a paid consultant to the San Diego County Republican Central Committee … As deputy political director, Matthews will be responsible for political campaigning and technology issues."
Nehring continues:
He has a successful track record of working with the party for the last three years. He’s developed an incredible body of knowledge in those areas … he’s one of the strongest campaigners I’ve ever met. (Chris) has wanted to move to America and become an American citizen … and we embrace that. Our job at the California GOP is to build the most effective campaign organization … And the fact that we have two people on staff who want to become Americans … is a great story that is at the heart of what the Republican Party is all about.
I’m hard pressed to argue that. Yet, what are your thoughts?
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Post a comment below, or email me here.
The SF Chronicle story is here.
June 19th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Barry,
CRP needs to be a good example.
On a similar immigration issue, the CRP Convention in February 2006 passed overwhelmingly a resolution to support Bill Morrow’s Senate Bill 1194. It would have required the employees of the State of California be subjected to the Basic Pilot Program to verify their eligibility to work in this country. The Basic Pilot Program is a free, federal, online service from the Department of Homeland Security. Many California congressmen have fought long and hard to promote it.
As a CRP member, I suggest the CRP adopt the Basic Pilot Program for all its employees and contractors. Very simple to sign up at the website: https://vis-dhs.com/EmployerRegistraation.
June 19th, 2007 at 12:00 am
I just don’t buy the idea that the CRP couldn’t find any Californians/US citizens to fill the posts in question. The perception is horrible that this creates.
June 19th, 2007 at 12:00 am
I don’t think there’s any question these individuals are eligible to work here. They are legally here and legally working. In fact, I would say a work visa proves it. Perhaps the Basic Pilot Program is something the CRP is already utilizing, and someone could let us know.
June 19th, 2007 at 12:00 am
If these employees can assist in creating wins for Republicans, and would like the ability to vote someday, who cares whether they can vote now?
June 19th, 2007 at 12:00 am
After all in the immortal words of Busby, “You don’t need papers for voting.”
June 20th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Great Post
I want to make it clear theses are my thoughts not Congressman Issa’s.
I believe there is a slow creep as to having non citizens run our governing body’s. What is the next stop non citizens serving on city councils or water boards. Don’t laugh , I believe we will see that proposed in the Legislature in the next few years. Shouldn’t the CRP lead by example and go the extra mile to hire those that can at least vote. Isn’t the CRP in the business of voting ? I doubt Mortons Steak House hires many vegetarians as servers.
June 20th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Maybe it is semantics. Maybe I am just nitpicking. However, it seems to me that this person didn’t legally go through the process. The process is designed to fill jobs that cannot be filled by American workers.
And if it is technically legal…it is most assuredly an abuse of the legal immigration process and I find it a tenuous position to hold. How can one say that they are opposed to illegal immigration and for the rule of law when they seek to circumvent the rule of law?
Nehring talks about drawing a distinction between “doing it the right way” versus hopping the border in the dead of night. Did Chris Mathews do it the right way?
June 20th, 2007 at 12:00 am
I believe it is a fundamental issue of loyalty to American party loyalist who are qualified. I do not argue that they are not qualified but I have great difficulty believing such key posts could not be filled internally or by someone in this technologically rich state.
It sends a bad message to ask people to join a party that wants lead American democratic life when it is being led by non-Americans.
Think beyond the current position fulfillment and consider the moral implications. Think about the message being sent about immigration and not placing some value on America first. This issue extends beyond the hiring of non-Americans for critical CRP positions…